Krakow-native Angelika Janosz lists her favorite spots around town where you can “sit, drink, eat, and spend a few hours talking.” Here’s where to go for casual eats in Krakow’s Old Town and the nearby Kazimierz neighborhood.

Angelika in Krakow’s Old Town

Krakow – for sure an ever-evolving city of students. Over the years, it has become more beautiful and interesting, thanks to not only the government, but also the youth – creative, full of life and energy. Through self-expression, they are changing the image of the city. While on the Main Square, you can hear tourists speaking many different languages. It shows that Krakow is also a popular place to visit in Europe.

Krakow never sleeps. At most it has only a few hours of rest in the early morning. I relish this vibe while biking to school, when I cross the main square and watch people supplying shops, pubs and restaurants; when I watch cleaning machines and hear the slowly throbbing heart of the city, as it prepares itself for another intensive day.

In this article I want to suggest great, sometimes very charming places to sit, drink, eat, and spend a few hours talking.

Every tourist can walk through town and do sightseeing, but it is harder to quickly find a nice place to relax and eat something good. My wish is that you don’t end up in chain fast food restaurants – once you’re in Krakow, don’t waste time looking for them, but try my suggestions instead.

AROUND THE MAIN SQUARE

Authentic Polish crepes

Naleśniki Crêpes(Senacka 6) – a small place, but nothing else matters apart from this crepes! The menu has a wide variety of filling options.

Ice cream

Grodzka Street – Walking along the whole street towards the Main Square, you will stumble upon many ice-cream places.

A quarter of Krakow that hit a rough patch in the past. For many years it was also a stand-alone town where the Jewish population lived. The old synagogues (some of them are museums now), buildings, Jewish symbols on the walls are the pearls of history that anyone can enjoy. But Kazimierz has also its second face – now it is the world of clubbing and entertainment.

My favorite hangouts are located at Plac Nowy.

Hangouts in Kazimierz (from the top left): Mleczarnia has a relaxing garden, Tajemniczy Ogród – a fireplace and seating arranged for privacy; Klub Finka is decorated with wood crates, hammocks, and fun signs

Coffee, cocktails, and nonalcoholic drinks

Tajemniczy Ogród(Plac Nowy 9)– Besides an intriguing menu, I love the style in which the interior is decorated – many couches, arranged in such a way that each table has privacy. A fireplace adds warmth.

Coffee, assorted tea, drinks

Klub Finka (Warszauera 1) – a very creative, unique and uncommonly-designed hangout: wood crates instead of tables, hammocks to sit on instead of chairs. Everywhere you look you see the sense of humor of the owner.

Hot & cold drinks in the garden

Mleczarnia(Rabina Bera Meiselsa 20) –a nice place to take a break and to sit in the garden, drinking something good or eating lunch

Kazimierz neighborhood hit a rough patch in the past, but now offers many entertainment options

18-year-old Angelika Janosz is a high school student in Krakow. Every chance she gets, she explores the city, usually by bike. She has been pursuing her interest in writing, including creative fiction, for several years now, and her 2010 guest post for Jetting Around was her first publication.

I regret not fitting Kakrow into my last Eurotrip. From the many photos you’ve shared it looks like a city full of energy. And the food, let’s not even go there. I would love to try it. Hopefully I get to see it in the near future.

In my opinion spring and summer (say May-September) when outdoor cafes/beer gardens are open. In the summer it can be hot and crowded, but if you don’t mind that then it’s worth it because there are also festivals and other cultural attractions going on. December is cold, but there are holiday markets and the city is nicely decorated.

Great list! My father-in-law is Polish, 2nd generation American. My step-son is obsessed with learning about his Polish heritage. I am hoping to take him to Poland someday. I would love to visit the local places and for him to get a feel of the non-touristy places. Thanks for the tips!

For some reason, I’ve recently been eating more Ukrainian food that usual. In fact, I had never had it up until two weeks ago. And so, it seems the “pierogi” is also included in the Polish cuisine. I have never tried Polish food, but I imagine to be very tasty, and quite similar to Romanian. Can’t wait to visit Krakow as well, so many people list it as their favorite European newcomer city!

Hi Monica. There’s a Romanian restaurant in Chicago, not far from my neighborhood. I’ve been there a few times and the food is good, but I’d like to actually go to Romania… If you haven’t tried Polish food, then Krakow is definitely a great place to visit!

I sure could have used this guide when I visited Krakow back in 2003. I only spent one night here and stumbled around to a few places in the square. I may have inadvertently stopped at one of these places because I know I did not sit at any fast food chains. Need to come back and spend more than one day in this beautiful city.

Pinning for when I get to Krakow again :) I have great memories of hanging out at some of the city’s cafes and cellar bars, but that was so long ago that I imagine the center has changed quite a bit since then.

A good thing about Krakow is that people appreciate its history and some things don’t change (e.g. there are still some cafes or bars that have been around for decades, if not centuries). But other changes are inevitable and you will find new night clubs around the Main Square, catering in part to tourists. Still, the Old Town is a fantastic place to visit.

I’d say spring through early fall, when the weather is nice and you can sit outside in beer gardens. True about the stag parties, it’s a plague (or was at least). Nowadays more and more businesses don’t allow them and put up signs on the door. Don’t let those guys stop you from visiting!

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